Israel is Getting a Bloody Nose but Lacks Foresight or End Game

In the recent attack on Iran, Israel might have bit off more than it can chew, demonstrating the country’s lingering impunity and lack of foresight to a new reality in the Middle East and beyond.  Although the silence on targets hit and Netanyahu’s threats against media within Israel have kept the propaganda at high intensity and destruction under wrap, most Israeli will tell you that the current reality is not pretty one. Considering its ongoing genocide in Gaza, there is also little public support or sympathy for Israel outside of the country.

In the last escalation between Israel and Iran back in October 2024, Iranian retaliation was thwarted with external assistance to Israel. When Iran launched about 200 ballistic missiles at Israeli targets, American, British, French, and Jordanian air forces destroyed majority of the incoming weapons, majority before they even reached Israeli airspace. The event looked like Star Wars in the sky with no major damages and only one civilian killed by shrapnel. This time the damage within Israel is significant and although US and UK have moved their military into the region, thus far, they have been determined to stay clear.

Israel’s timely attack on Iran derailed Washington’s negotiations with Iran, in which Tehran was pushing for a nuclear free Middle East. The war has killed dozens of high level military and scientific personnel and hundreds of Iranian civilians but will unlikely serve to either destroy Iran’s nuclear potential or end in a regime change.

Netanyahu is the king of manipulation, wants to drag the US and other states into the conflict and there is nothing like a war to serve as a diversion. Israel’s attack worked in Netanyahu’s favor to postpone the upcoming UN meeting in New York where France and Saudia Arabia were aiming to lay out the parameters for a roadmap to a Palestinian state. Washington was keen to postpone the meeting, threatening diplomatic consequences for any countries to attend.

Despite Israeli gloating leadership speeches of winning the war, Iran has managed to hit Israeli military targets including within the CyberSpark, kill dozens of Israelis, destroy parts of Weitzman Institute, the country’s most prestigious research institute, destroyed many buildings including housing Microsoft and wound more than 650 people. The hypersonic misses which are penetrating Israel’s Iron Dome have forced Israelis to shut down all institutions and schools and spend their days and nights close to the bunkers.

Daily conversations with my kids in Jerusalem describe the reality as bleak, even though they, as most Jewish Israelis, are privileged to have safe rooms close to their home. While most Palestinian Israelis and asylum seekers have no safe rooms, my kids are fortunate to have access to an underground bunker with several rooms, a toilet, TV, games and even a small basketball court.

Still, although Israel is proclaiming victory as able to do more damage in Iran there is no military solution to this conflict, which as Gaza needs a mediated diplomatic solution. Accusing Iran of war atrocities as Iranian missiles hit a hospital, and a school is falling on deaf ears when both US and Israel have chosen to burry international law. Targeting civilian infrastructure is indeed a war crime, as it was when Israel bombed Gaza’s civilian infrastructure and destroyed all of Gaza’s hospitals and schools. But the double standard seems to evade Netanyahu and his cronies.

Canada and other countries would be well advised not to get distracted or pulled in by propaganda and a war conjured up purposely by Netanyahu with no end in sight. International community should focus on ending the genocide in Gaza, creating a nuclear free Middle East and making Israel accountable to international law. Only a peaceful diplomatic solution will end the ongoing escalations and prevent even more devastating and deadly consequences. Pushing for peace, a Nuclear free Middle East and choosing allies that respect international law would be in Canada’s and everyones long-term interest.